"Rasta, what are you doing inside there?" "Hey Rasta, what the Babylon am I deal with? I and I control to the fullness." "Get out, mon!" "Remove ya!!!"

Such a great window into late 1970's Jamaica and the reggae scene, featuring many musicians playing themselves, such as Burning Spear, Gregory Isaacs, and Robbie Shakespeare. The soundtrack and the patois alone make this highly engaging, but maybe more importantly, it also highlights the social consciousness of Rastafarianism. This often seems to be overlooked in reggae music, which can be dismissed as music to get high to, but its deepest concerns are in the struggles of the common man against the corruption of the wealthy, and the oppression of the "Babylon system" they live under.

We see that most obviously in the Robin Hood like story line in this film, which is a bit simple, but also in the lyrics of songs playing in the background, e.g. Junior Byles on Fade Away singing "the rich is getting richer every day, and the little that the poor man got, it shall be taken away, do you hear what I say?" or Gregory Isaacs on Slave Master singing "Every time I hear the music and I make a dip, a dip, slave master comes around and spank I with his whip, the whip." The solidarity with ending colonialism in African is also referred when producer Jack Ruby says they've just finished recording Free Rhodesia, which isn't heard here, but which the Black Disciples would release in real life.

One of the things that didn't work as well for me was the way the main character (Leroy "Horsemouth" Wallace) treated his family (which was his real life family too, btw). He's trying to provide for them by using all of their money to buy a motorbike so he can get around to sell records and play the drums in live sessions, but he's almost never home, and when he is, he downplays his wife's concerns about having money for food and clothing for their small kids. He tells her not to worry, Jah (God or Haile Selassie) will provide, and that he need only teach them their culture. He tells her to shut up several times, and we see none of her viewpoint.

There is an interesting scene showing the tolerance of the faith when Horsemouth is confronted by his grandmother, a Christian who is celebrating baptisms in the river, and who asks the Lord to forgive his sins and for him to convert. Rather than argue or get angry with her, he simply accepts her, without backing down from his views. Here and in one or two other places, the fourth wall is broken, allowing a character to explain views of peace and brotherhood. Of course, when pushed by "the man," the film brews up some cathartic revenge, set to Peter Tosh's Stepping Razor, but it's not violent, and just involves a little redistribution of wealth. This is a film that feels deeply meaningful to culture, and it's one that works on several levels, despite its modest budget.

I-man loves this movie! A true classic! Everyt'ing from the music to the actors to the land of the JA makes this a must see. Much more intimate than "The Harder They Come" and not as dark. This is also a very funny movie. The "Stepping Razor" walking montage is classic hilarity! Get this film and keep it in your collection. Do not lend it out or you might not see it again, sight? Without taking away from the great directing Theodore Bafaloukos did, this movie almost makes itself! Show me a movie with realer characters and I'll argue you with you day and night, seen? The soundtrack is great! All kinds of reggae styles from a cross-section of artists...many of whom are in the film! Jah Guide, Protection Until Time, and Loveful Heights!

In my youth, I listened sometimes to the best reggae artists, seeing some of them in concerts and these Jamaican people are really magic : a blend of freedom, toughness, rebellion, happiness. And they are so funny to see : enjoy Jacob Miller's meal, the "Stepping Razor" walk, Dirty Harry in a nightclub, Gregory Isaacs in a party... They are really unique people and far more better than actors, they are exceptional characters playing nearly themselves.

And the best is Leroy Horsemouth (in real life drummer of Burning Spear,Bunny Wailer, Max Roméo, ...), the drummer selling reggae records from shop to shop with his bike that is stolen. The drummer's revenge is to come. In fact, it is the story of "Bicycles Thieves" and "Robin Hood". But it is so vibrating. The music is strong and don't miss the 70's clothes.

If you want to see a rebel musical movie, with actors nearly playing themselves, "Rockers" is really different, as it is brilliantly directed and written in the real Rasta settings by unknown Greek director Ted Bafaloukos (who also directed some video for the Talking Heads and Chris Isaacs). Rockers is a movie I saw many times, discovering it to friends, and it's always a funny pleasure to see it again and again and again.